Ladder.



E. C. DICKINSON LADDER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1 3. I914.

1,141,950 Patented June 8, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

(HE NORRIS PETERS ca, PHOTO-LITHQ, WASHING mu, 0, c

E. C. DICKINSON.

LADDER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 13. I9l4.

Patnted June 8, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

H45 NORRIS PETERS 60.. FHOTO-LITHQ. WM HINGIUN. u C.

ERNEST CHAS. DICKINSON, OF ANNISTON, ALABAMA.

LADDER.

Application filed March 13, 1914.

To all 20 7mm it may concern:

Be it known that I, ERNEST G. DICKINSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Anniston, in the county of Calhoun and State of Alabama, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ladders, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in ladders and one object of the invention is the provision of a ladder which can be used as an ordinary step ladder or be extended to ,provide a lengthened ladder and in both in stances perform its functions in an eflicient and practical manner.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a ladder capable of use as a step or extension ladder, which will be light in weight to permit easy handling, which will be compact in size to occupy a small amount of space, and which will be simple, strong and durable in construction and capable of production at a low price.

With these objects in view, my invention consists of a combination step and extension ladder embodying novel features of construction and combination of parts for service, substantially as shown, described and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In order that the construction in detail and the manner of using my combination ladder may be fully understood and its advantages and points of merit be fully appreciated, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawing a ladder constructed in accordance with and embodying my invention.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my ladder with the parts in the position they occupy when a step ladder is provided. Fig. 2 represents a central vertical sectional view on an enlarged scale of the main parts, shown in the position they assume when used as a step ladder. Fig. 8 represents a side elevation showing the parts adjusted to provide an extension ladder. Fig. 3 represents a detail view. Fig. 4 represents a perspective view 011 an enlarged scale of one of the guiding strips, and Fig. 5 represents a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the novel construction of spring-actuated latches or detents employed upon my ladder.

Referring by numerals to the drawings, in which similar characters of reference are used to denote corresponding parts in the several viewsof the drawings, the numeral 1 designates what may be termned the step Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented JuneS, 1915.

Serial No. 824,388.

ladder section, provided with the steps 2, and the top step or platform 3, to which is hinged at at the extension 5, of said platform, and to the said section 'l,by means of the rod 6, is connected the section 7, provided with rungs 8, and forming the extension section of my ladder.

The rod 6. forms the pivot between the step ladder and extension section. and said rod has one end 6 threaded to receive the adjusting winged nut 6", which serves to bind the sections and prevent them from improper movement when used either as a step or extension ladder. To the rear of the step ladder section 1, is secured the pair of guide strips 9, which are retained away from the section a suitable distance by means of the fastenings 10, this forming an open slot or guide wav 11, in which is adapted to travel the connecting rod 12, secured at each end of the links 13, whose other ends carry the rod 1%, fitting and movable in the slot 15 of the extension section 7, and the guide strips 9, are also provided with bends forming seats 9', to receive the connecting rod 12, as most clearly shown in Fig. 2.

From this construction, it will be observed that my ladder consists of the pair of sections adapted to be adjusted to form a step ladder or an extension ladder, as circumstances require, and that the connecting rod forming the pivot between the sections is further provided with adjusting means which retain the sections in rigid position when used either as a step ladder or extension ladder, and also that the pair of links which connect the sections move freely in the guides of one section and the slots of the other section, with their connecting rod properly engaging the recesses of said guides and slots.

In order that the sections may be retained in proper relation, when the ladder is adjusted to be used as a step ladder, I provide the spring-actuated latches shown in Fig. 5, which consist of the pair of plates 17, pivoted to the section 1 as at 18, having the slots 19 moving upon the pins 20, which limit the play of said plates, and the plates are provided with cut-out upper portions 21, adapted to receive the pivoting rod 6, and these plates are connected at their upper ends by the rod 22, which carries the stop book 23, and to cause said plates to move outward to drop under said rod 6, I provide the springs 2a., which are connected as shown and force the rod 22, with plates outward and under said rod 6. The extension section, when resting directly against the surface or wall, is engaged against the elastic cushions 25, but when desired to provide a rest or platform the strip 26, con-' nected by the links 27, with the ladder section, and having pins 28, movable in slots 29, of said section, is used as shown in Fig. 3.

slidably mounted with referenceto one ofv said sections, a clamping nut engaging said rod, and sprlng actuated means carried by Also, that the ladder is of compact one section'and engaging said rod to propcesses of said strips and slot.

8. The herein described ladder, consisting l of the main and extension sections, a rod pivotally connecting said sections, movable catches for supporting said rod .when the ladder is adjusted, links connecting and bracing said sections, and guides for said links carried by said sections.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature= in presence of two witnesses.

ERNEST CHAS. DICKINSON.

Witnesses JOHN A. CARTER, Jr., C; DICKINSON.

Gopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, "WashingtomJlCP 

